I would like input from you, please, if you could spare a few moments.
What dose of spiro are/were you on, and what was your testosterone level when you were put on it?
Additionally, if you want to add anything else about any improvement you saw in hair fall out, hairyness, or anything else, feel free to do so. Thanks!
(The reason I'm asking is because I'm currently at 25mg, and I've been at such for about 3-4 months now, and I am going to talk to the doctor about upping the dose.)
Thanks!
When diagnosed 2 1/2 years ago my total testosterone was on the high end of normal (70 - 80). I was having to spend 10-15 minutes a day to tweeze the hair on my upper lip, chin and neck, and I had dark hair on my belly, upper thighs and arms, and around my nipples.
The gyn put me on 1500 mg Met ER, but told me to talk to my primary care doc before I started Spiro because it might conflict with my blood pressure medicine. My PCP changed my BP med to remove the diuretic. I took 100mg of Spiro for about 3 months. It made me have a light period every two weeks and made my breasts feel much less fibrocystic. I had always had extreme breast tenderness before my cycle and that went away. But my blood pressure went sky high. My PCP asked me to stop Spiro while he got my BP regulated.
For the next two years, I just resigned myself to not taking Spiro, and never brought it up again. Six months ago, my gyn put me on Yaz to help with period pain, and I asked her to refer me to an Endo to evalulate my PCOS meds due to a 24 hour urine test showing a slightly reduced kidney function.
The Endo put me on 2000mg Met (non ER) and prescribed 100mg Sprio. The Endo laughed when I asked him about conflicts with my BP meds, and said my BP could afford to go up a little. I made an appointment with my PCP anyway, and he gave me the go ahead to take the Spiro with my BP meds even though they both contained a diuretic.
I've been taking 50mg Spiro for 5 months (along with Yaz which contains an equivalent of 25mg of Spiro). I've had some problems with leg and foot cramps especially when I'm on the active pills of Yaz. Sometimes I have to lay off the Spiro for a day, so I never worked up to 100mg a day.
In the last few weeks, I've really began to notice that the hair on my arms, upper thighs, and belly is thinner, less coarse, and lighter in color. I even think the hair under my arms and on my lower legs is less coarse! Between taking Spiro the first time and the 2nd, I had laser hair removal, so I can't really say if it's helped my face. I have stray fine dark hairs and coarse white/blond hairs that the laser didn't get, and they seem to still be there. I was thinking about getting them zapped by electrolysis, but I'm going to wait awhile longer to give the Spiro a chance.
I haven't had my bloodwork checked since I started the Spiro again. I go back to the Endo in June.
My dosage of Spiro/Yaz makes me very thirsty in the morning. I drink at least 100 oz of water a day. When I took 100mg the first time around, I got pretty constipated. I learned a fiber tablet or two before bedtime solved that problem. I think the Met got rid of my oily skin, but I've seen posts where people say that Spiro dries out their skin and hair.
My testosterone level was 123 when I was put on 750mg of Met.
I took that for 3 months and then returned for a check-up.
At the check-up, my testosterone level was at 79. At that point, they
put me on 100mg a day of Spiro. Just started taking it a few weeks ago,
so I'm not quite sure of the benefits yet. Good luck to you!
__________________ Dx: Feb 2007 Traditional PCOS: Mild Hirutism * Anovulatory * High Androgens * Polycystic Ovaries * No Insulin Resistance Meds: 100mg Spiro/day * Prenatal vitamins * 10mg Provera (when needed) TTC Journey: 11/06- 2/08: Wasn't trying, did not prevent 2/08- 4/08: Clomid (50-100-150mgs) No O 5/08: Officially Clomid Resistant... onto Follistim O'ed, but BFN 7/08: 2nd Round of Follistim- in the 2WW
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My T was at 82 when I started Spiro. I took 100mg per day. I have hair loss and very little facial/unwanted hair. I only recently stopped Spiro to try to get pregnant. The Spiro will start to lower your T after a couple months, which is good. It's step 1. IF it does help you regrow head hair, it will take a long time. Patience is key. It can take close to a year to see regrowth. Of course this is the case with ANY hair loss treatment. Many people give up too quickly on Spiro or other meds, they don't give the med long enough to work. Regrowing hair takes time. So that's my advice if you stay on it- don't give up :-) Anyway, I took it for 10 months and I did see regrowth. Sucked to stop but I'll start it again some day if needed. Oh, and my T slowly went down, got it tested every 3 months. First it was down in the 60's (when I took 50 mg per day) then I upped it to 100mg per day and it went down to the 40's and 30's.
HTH.
__________________ Bailey
Currently: Metformin 2000 mg, Prenatal Vitamins
Clomid:
**Round 1: Clomid 50 Mg, O'd
**Round 2: Clomid 100mg , O'd
**Round 3: Clomid 100mg, O'D and BFP!
**BFP on 6/23/07!! EDD 2/27/08**
**8/13/07 HB at doctor's office
**8/28/07 HB on home Doppler approximately 155 bpm!
**10/19/07 Ultrasound looked good, quad tests came back negative! (Baby's gender is a surprise!)
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I've been taking 50mg Spiro for 5 months (along with Yaz which contains an equivalent of 25mg of Spiro). I've had some problems with leg and foot cramps especially when I'm on the active pills of Yaz. Sometimes I have to lay off the Spiro for a day, so I never worked up to 100mg a day.
If you are having cramps it could mean that you are not drinking enough water. Since spiro is a diaretic you need to especially make sure you are getting enough water.
To answer the original question: I take 50 mg of spiro twice a day. I have seen a huge difference in the amount of unwanted hair that I have on my arms, face, and even legs.
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If you are having cramps it could mean that you are not drinking enough water. Since spiro is a diaretic you need to especially make sure you are getting enough water.
I drink at least 100 oz a day because I am always thirsty (and I'm not diabetic). I don't drink any caffeine except one cup of coffee in the morning. I think its the combo of my BP med's diuretic (12.5mg Hydrochlorothiazide), the diuretic in Yaz, and the Spiro. That's a bunch of diuretic. That's why I haven't increased my dosage to 100 mg. I've also read that sometimes leg cramps are caused by low magnesium, so I take a magnesium pill everyday.
Attention all current and former spiro users! 
